The newspaper chose 10 of the top-ranked haunts to ensure local residents know where to go to become thoroughly spooked.

Netherworld6624 Dawson Boulevard, NorcrossFeatured on the Travel Channel, CNN and dozens of other national media venues, Netherworld has become synonymous with Halloween in Atlanta. The attraction features two walk-through haunted houses and employs nearly 100 actors. The props and sets are Hollywood film quality and the highly detailed houses feel quite realistic.

13 StoriesNOTE: 13 Stories is scheduled to open Oct. 18, according to its website. It recently moved from Kennesaw to 320 Temple Avenue in Newnan.Intentionally more scary than many haunted houses, 13 Stories plays on an urban legend that states that somewhere in America is a 13-story haunted house that is either so scary or so dangerous -- depending on which version of the legend your hear -- that no one is able to get through it. While the urban legend remains just that, the two haunted houses at 13 Stories focus on "in your face" terror, intentionally creating as much fear as possible. Guests are required to sign a waiver before entering, further playing into the hype.

Chambers of Horror695 North Avenue NE, AtlantaChambers of Horror is an extreme torture-based haunted house open only to those age 17 and above. Although the actors will not touch you, as is true in any haunted house, they will insult and intimidate you. The Splatter Lounge, a bar based on the same theme, is connected to the house.

Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse4215 Thurman Road, ConleyThe Atlanta Zombie Apocalypse is a next-generation haunted attraction. Rather than walking a scary but ultimately controlled path through a maze, you are dropped into the middle of the action. You will run, climb and hide as you make your way through abandoned buildings and outdoor areas in an effort to escape a zombie attack.

Fright Fest275 Riverside Parkway SW, AustellHalloween has become big business for theme parks, and Six Flags Over Georgia is no exception. Daytime happenings are more geared to smaller children, while evening programs are oriented toward teens and adults. Fright Fest is included in regular park admission, although there is a nominal charge for a walk-through haunted house and the "buried alive" experience known as The Last Ride.

Horror Hill320 Temple Avenue, NewnanHorror Hill offers 20 acres of haunted attractions, including two forest trails, a traditional haunted house and a 3D haunted house. The event begins as soon as you enter the parking lot, with wandering monsters filling the area. The complex haunt has evolved dramatically since its 1984 inception, adding new layers to the experience each year.

House on Horror Hill1650 Alpharetta Street, AlpharettaUnrelated to the Horror Hills trails, the House on Horror Hill is the local Jaycees' Halloween offering. According to Haunted House Online, the Jaycees set the stage for the modern haunt industry in 1975, when two Jaycees members from Illinois hit on the idea of haunted houses to draw attention to their cause. Today, Jaycees' haunted houses are not as popular as they once were, due to a combination of increased regulations and soaring competition, but House on Horror Hill remains a local Atlanta favorite.

Camp Blood2277 Whooping Creek Road, CarrolltonCamp Blood is a haunted trail loosely based on films such as Friday the 13th and Halloween. The heavily wooded trail leads to a second attraction called the Toxic Woodshed. Although Camp Blood lacks the technology of many of its competitors, the highly trained actors offer an old-fashioned scare that is tough to beat.

Terror in the SquareNOTE: According to the attraction's Facebook page, Terror in the Square will open in Winder this fall. It is typically located on the Lawrenceville square.Terror in the Square offers a full evening of haunted fun. Two detailed haunted houses and a cast of wandering monsters provide the scares, while a hip-hop dance crew and Elvis impersonator offer the chance to catch your breath.

Haunted Hill House of HorrorTom Eason Drive, HamptonDespite its newness (it was introduced in 2010), the house packs a punch equal to that of its better-established competitors. Its creators do not take themselves too seriously, as evidenced by the tongue-in-cheek humor on the website's obligatory rules page, but the attention to detail is impressive.